Bill McKibben has changed the narrative from the incredible events of the past week that have been termed surreal – and only now have to be recognized as all too real.

The good news that a black man from the American south finally can be elected to the Senate was swamped by a riot and what to do about it as well as increasing hospitalizations and deaths from the pandemic. At the same time we forget that we are now we have passed the half way mark for dealing with the climate crisis.

The following were milestones:

Prior to 1990 scientists and oil companies study the effects of climate change
1988: James Hansen testifies to US congress
1990: Climate change is recognized as a problem by the public1992: The Rio Earth Summit initiates attempts to deal with it as an international problem
2050 becomes the target year for carbon neutrality

McKibben goes on to say that the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century were basically a waste of time in addressing the issue. Oil companies and politicians united to make nothing happen and the Copenhagan conference in 2009 failed, as did the US Cap and Trade legislation in 2010.

But after that evidence was hard to ignore. We could not ignore rising temperatures, fires and floods. Solar energy and wind power developed and became cheaper. Activism started from the ground up and politicians now had another force than oil companies. The Paris Conference in 2015 had new commitment internationally. The US president didn’t help but momentum was there.

It has to continue. Scientists tell us that to keep on track we have to cut emissions by half by 2030. Moving the goal posts simply won’t do. That means several changes

An end to new fossil fuel infrastructure – which McKibben says may include the closing down of Alberta’s tar sands
Retrofitting of buildings to make them more energy efficient
Changes in transportation – including how we move ourselves
Stopping of Deforestation
Less use of carbon in food production Elimination of tax support of fossil fuel industries

These things have to happen now – and everywhere. There are some positive changes, including the diminished size and strength of many oil producing companies, the growth of electric cars, and positive responses from governments, especially the incoming Biden team. It’s the next 500 weeks that have to make the difference.

There is encouraging news. United by dealing the pandemic, cities of the world are uniting to work together as well as pressuring other levels of government to act. You can find out more about the organization here and watch the brief video below.

The Coming Decade's Work

Misinformation Wars

Epiphany